Adjustable multiple row harvester head assembly

Abstract

An adjustable multiple row head assembly for a crop harvester provides cantilevered support arms for a plurality of row head units. The units are adjustably positioned for harvesting crops planted in differently spaced rows. An adjusting device for the row head units provides infinitely variable adjustment, and specifically includes a jackscrew operating between a moveable frame member of the row head unit and the fixed cantilevered support arm therefor. The row head units extend in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to a base and include gathering conveyors driven by sprockets. The conveyors cooperatively form passageways having inlets for the crop, and engage idler sprockets adjustable in accordance with the row head unit adjustment to maintain proper tension in the conveyors. The adjustable row head units pivot about an axis forwardly of the driving sprockets for the conveyors thereof, thus discharging the crop at substantially the same point, direction and orientation with respect to the cutting or chopping inlet of the harvester.

I claim: 
     
       1. An adjustable multiple row head for a crop harvester comprising: (a) a base;   (b) a plurality of row head units;   (c) a corresponding plurality of separate cantilevered support arms, each cantilevered support arm fully supporting one of said plurality of row head units;   (d) said cantilevered support arms connected to and extending forwardly of said base;   (e) at least one of said row head units including a moveable frame member adjustably pivoted about an axis;   (f) gathering means associated with said moveable frame member and forming an inlet and a passageway for crops being harvested;   (g) adjusting means for providing adjustment to said moveable frame member with respect to one of said cantilevered support arms, said adjusting means being positioned adjacent a distal end of said one of said cantilevered support arms forward of said base and inside the width of said at least one row head unit; and   (h) cutting means at the inlet,   whereby the inlets to said row head units may be spaced apart from each other and said adjusting means and separate, fully supporting cantilevered support arms provide return run for said gathering means substantially free of obstruction to allow the self cleaning of grasses from the units.   
     
     
       2. An adjustable multiple row head as recited in claim 1 wherein said one cantilevered support arm is fixedly mounted to said base and further comprising guide means for said moveable frame member for support on said cantilevered support member, said adjusting means comprising a jackscrew cooperating with said guide means for pivotally adjusting one of said row head units.   
     
     
       3. An adjustable multiple row head as recited in claim 2 wherein said guide means is mounted to said moveable frame member to provide a first engaging point for said jackscrew. 
     
     
       4. An adjustable multiple row head as recited in claim 1 wherein said base provides base support structure for said plurality of cantilevered support members, and each gathering means comprises a pair of endless members having cooperating lugs thereon and forming said passageway therebetween, driving sprockets for said endless members supported by said base, idler sprockets adjacent the inlet of the gathering means, and adjustable idler means for adjusting tension in said endless members in accordance with adjustment of said row head units.   
     
     
       5. An adjustable multiple row head as recited in claim 4 wherein said adjustable idler means includes a spring biased adjustable support bracket for adjusting the tension in said endless members responsively to said row head units adjustment. 
     
     
       6. An adjustable multiple row head as rectited in claim 4 wherein the pivot axis for said moveable member is disposed forwardly of an axis of at least one of said driving sprockets to provide a discharge end substantially in the same alignment in any adjusted position.